The following statement by James Goldstene (California)
and Jim Whitestone (Ontario), co-chairs of the Western Climate Initiative was
issued following the public stakeholders' meeting of the WCI in San Francisco.

"At today's public stakeholder meeting the partners
in WCI demonstrated a commitment to address climate change with a clear path
towards a linked program to reduce greenhouse gases. This will create the
largest carbon market in North America and provide a model that can guide
future efforts to establish a creative roadmap for future national approaches
in both Canada and the U.S. to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

This marks a significant step forward in our efforts to
fight climate change. It will help clean the air, create new jobs, and
establish WCI as a leader in the effort to reduce our dependence on
petroleum and move toward a clean energy future."

ARB's mission is to promote and protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through effective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and considering effects on the economy. The ARB oversees all air pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain health based air quality standards.